Fellhauer's 2-Run Single Rallies CSF in 9th

Fullerton, Calif. - Josh Fellhauer's two-run single with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday night rallied Cal State Fullerton to a 5-4 Big West Conference victory over UC Santa Barbara.

Nick Ramirez (2-1), who got the final two outs in the top of the ninth, got the victory when Fellhauer lined reliever Zachary Samuels' 1-0 pitch into right field where John DeAlba bobbled the ball and had no chance to throw home. UCSB starter Mario Hollands (4-5) was charged with both runs and took the loss as the Gauchos fell to 23-17 and 6-8. Fullerton improved to 31-12 overall and 11-6 in the Big West with its eighth win in nine games but its first this season in 11 opportunities when trailing after eight innings.

Fullerton has clinched its first Big West series win at home after losing 2 out of 3 earlier to both UC Irvine and Pacific. Fullerton is now 11-8 at home.

Pinch-hitter Billy Marcoe led off the bottom of the ninth and walked on four pitches. Pinch runner Jeff Newman moved to second as Joey Siddons beat out a bunt in front of the plate. Righthander Samuels replaced starter Mario Hollands, who had scattered 6 hits, and was greeted by Christian Colon's sacrifice bunt. Gary Brown was walked intentionally to load the bases for Fellhauer, who had minor surgery on a finger on Monday, sat out Wednesday's game and was in a bit of a slump.

Freshman righthander Noe Ramirez went 8 1/3 innings for Fullerton but was victimized by a pair of unearned runs as UCSB overcame a 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead. Designated hitter Ryan Cavan had three hits including a key triple in a 2-run sixth inning. The Gauchos used five extra-base hits and two Fullerton errors to rally themselves.

Trailing 3-2, Brian Gump led off the UCSB sixth with a single to left field. He was running on a pitch to Eric Oliver and was able to avoid a double play on Oliver's ground ball to short. Cavan tripled Gump home and then scored an unearned run when shortstop Colon, playing in with only one out, bobbled Matt Valaika's ground ball for an error.

UCSB got its first unearned run in the fourth. Oliver doubled down the left-field line with one out, moved to third on a ground ball and scored when third baseman Siddons couldn't handle Valaika's ground ball to his left for an error. The Gauchos used a similar formula for an earned run in the fifth as Shane Carlson led off with a double down the left-field line, was sacrificed to third by Marty Mullins and scored as Robby Cummings grounded to short.

The Titans got their first run in the second on one hit. Khris Davis singled to center, went to second when Dustin Garneau was hit by a pitch, stole third and scored as Joe Scott grounded to second.

Jared Clark hit a two-out, two-run home run in the third to make it 3-0. His eighth home run of the year also scored Brown, who had doubled. The Titans threatened to get more, putting runners on first and third. Garneau tried to steal second and batter Tony Harkey was called out for interference on the throw, precipitating an argument that saw Titan assistant coach Sergio Brown ejected after a heated discussion.

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